Where to Stay in Luxor: East Bank vs. West Bank + Hotels I’d Consider

This post is part of my Egypt & Jordan series, following our family trip from Cairo’s pyramids and museums to Luxor’s temples, the Dead Sea, and Petra. Throughout the series, I share how we planned the trip, where we stayed, how we used points and travel credits, and what I’d do differently next time, including where I wish we’d slowed down. You’ll find more guides in the Continue Exploring Egypt & Jordan section at the end.

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Luxor was one of my favorite parts of our Egypt trip, and our hotel was part of the reason I wanted to stay longer. After mornings exploring temples and tombs in the heat, returning to a pool overlooking the Nile felt wonderful. I just wish we’d left ourselves more time to enjoy it.

We stayed at Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa on the East Bank, which gave us a relaxing base away from the center. Your ideal stay might look different: a central hotel for evenings near Luxor Temple, a smaller West Bank property near the archaeological sites, or an island resort with spacious grounds.

The first decision is which setting fits your trip; then comes the hotel. This guide compares the East Bank, West Bank, and Kings Island, drawing on our experience at the Hilton and the other hotels I’d consider across different budgets.

Where to Stay on Luxor’s East Bank

The East Bank is home to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and much of the modern city, making it a convenient base for sightseeing, restaurants, shops, and walks along the Corniche. Visiting Luxor Temple at night was one of my favorite experiences of our trip, and staying nearby makes that kind of evening easier to fit into your plans.

Accommodation ranges from smaller city hotels to historic properties and Nilefront resorts, though your location within the East Bank still matters. A central hotel puts more within walking distance, while a resort farther north or south may offer more space to relax by the pool. I’d start here for a first visit, especially if you want a broad choice of hotel facilities. Choose how close you want to be to town for evenings out, and plan transportation for sightseeing across the river on the West Bank.

Central Luxor: Near Luxor Temple and the Corniche

For exploring between planned excursions, I’d look near Luxor Temple and the Corniche. You can spend an evening walking along the Nile, stopping for dinner, and visiting the illuminated temple without arranging a separate outing. The mix of simpler city stays and historic properties also gives you options across different budgets.

Nefertiti Hotel — Best for Rooftop Views and a Smaller Central Stay

Typical price: Around $40–$70 per night, depending on dates and room type

Nefertiti is a smaller, family-run hotel near Luxor Temple and the market streets, with a rooftop overlooking the temple, the Avenue of Sphinxes, and the Nile beyond. That view makes it stand out to me: a memorable setting at a lower price than the larger riverfront resorts.

Its connection to Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant adds character. The family traces the restaurant’s history to the 1930s, and I like the idea of heading upstairs for Egyptian food overlooking ancient landmarks. Having loved our nighttime visit to Luxor Temple, I’d appreciate enjoying that setting both from the rooftop and on foot.

The rooms are simpler than the resort options, and recent reviews mention small bathrooms and noise, particularly near the rooftop kitchen. I’d choose this for location, rooftop atmosphere, and value, checking room photos and requesting a quieter room if sleep is a priority.

Explore Nefertiti Hotel and check current rates →

Winter Palace Luxor — A Historic Stay to Watch for a Future Trip

Typical price: To be confirmed following restoration and reopening

October 2026 update: Closed for restoration, with reopening planned for July 2027 as Mandarin Oriental Winter Palace, Luxor. Check directly with the hotel for the latest opening and reservation information.

Winter Palace is the hotel I’d consider if a historic stay were part of the experience I wanted from Luxor. Its palace architecture, gardens, and Nile-facing location near Luxor Temple offer a different appeal from contemporary resorts, with central sightseeing close by.

Mandarin Oriental’s announced plans include restored rooms and suites, six dining venues, and a spa within the gardens. I’d want to see the finished property, rates, and guest feedback before deciding whether the splurge made sense, but it would absolutely be on my list for a future visit.

For now, I’d keep it in mind rather than build an itinerary around the expected reopening. A stay here could be a memorable part of a Luxor trip, particularly with time to enjoy the gardens and historic setting between excursions.

Explore Mandarin Oriental’s Winter Palace and check reopening updates →

Nilefront Resorts: More Room for Downtime

The East Bank’s Nilefront resorts appeal to me for their gardens, river views, and space to unwind between excursions. Some sit farther from central Luxor, so I’d weigh the hotel setting against the transportation needed for dinners and independent exploring.

Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa — Best for Nile Views and a Relaxing Resort Stay

Typical price: Around $225–$365 per night, with seasonal variation

Points examples: 40,000 Hilton Honors points per night on available dates

Hilton Luxor was our home base, and the infinity pool overlooking the Nile made returning after sightseeing something to look forward to. We saw so much, but I wished we’d left a few more afternoons open to enjoy the waterfront setting.

The expansive breakfast buffet was another highlight, with outdoor tables where you could ease into the morning. If you’re up early enough, you may even spot hot air balloons floating across the sky. Having experienced a sunrise balloon ride ourselves, seeing them from the hotel brought back one of my favorite memories of the trip.

The hotel is in Karnak on the East Bank, outside central Luxor, so we used taxis to visit Luxor Temple and head into town for dinner. Getting one was easy: an attendant staffed the hotel’s taxi desk and could quickly arrange a car for us. That made the location a comfortable tradeoff for the relaxing setting. Check the room category carefully if a Nile view matters to you—the outlook from the pool isn’t the view from every room.

I’d compare the full cash rate with the points required for your dates, especially when seasonal prices climb. However you book, this is a hotel I’d choose with time to enjoy it, rather than use only as somewhere to sleep between tours.

Explore Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa and check current rates →

Steigenberger Nile Palace — Best for Nilefront Comfort and Easier Access to Town

Typical price: Around $100–$230 per night, depending on season and room type

Steigenberger Nile Palace offers a riverfront base closer to central Luxor than the Hilton. It sits approximately two kilometers south of Luxor Temple, making walking into town more manageable, depending on the heat and how much exploring you’ve already done. A short taxi ride is another option when you’d rather save your energy.

An outdoor pool, a Nile-facing terrace, and several restaurants give you reasons to stay at the hotel, too. That flexibility is the draw for me: enjoying the riverfront facilities while staying closer to town for dinner or visiting Luxor Temple after dark.

The cash rates make this worth comparing with Hilton Luxor, particularly if you’re paying rather than redeeming points. Room categories include city, side Nile, and fuller river views, so check what you’re booking. I’d put this high on my shortlist for combining hotel comforts with independent exploring.

Explore Steigenberger Nile Palace and check current rates →

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Where to Stay on Luxor’s West Bank

The West Bank is home to the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, Hatshepsut’s Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon. Staying here puts you closer to many tombs and archaeological sites, though they’re spread out enough that you’ll still need transportation between them.

Accommodation often has a smaller, more personal feel, with guesthouses and boutique hotels overlooking farmland, the Nile, or the Theban hills. I’d consider this side if you prefer quieter surroundings, particularly when the tombs and temples are a priority. Location matters: staying near the ferry landing makes crossings into town easier, while an inland retreat offers more separation from the city. Evenings on the East Bank mean crossing by boat or taking the longer route by road.

Near the Nile: Smaller Stays and Easier River Crossings

For easier access to central Luxor, I’d look near the river. Check whether you’ll use the public ferry or a hotel boat, where it drops you off, and how late it operates—important details when heading out for dinner or returning after dark.

Djorff Palace — Best for Distinctive Architecture and a Riverside Retreat

Typical price: Around $110–$140 per night, with seasonal variation

Djorff Palace catches my attention for its ornate architecture, individually decorated rooms, and rural setting beside the Nile. Gardens and an outdoor pool give this smaller hotel a distinctive personality alongside Luxor’s larger resorts.

Its complimentary motorboat service to the East Bank makes exploring both sides of the river practical. The hotel isn’t beside the main public ferry landing, so I’d confirm its boat arrangements before planning evenings in town.

I’d choose this for the architecture as much as the riverside setting. Room layouts and views vary, so compare individual rooms rather than choosing solely from photographs of the palace exterior.

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El Gezira Garden Hotel — Best for Garden Downtime and a Convenient West Bank Base

Typical price: Around $55–$80 per night, depending on room type and dates

El Gezira Garden offers a smaller, more affordable base with a pool, greenery, and rooftop spaces for relaxing after sightseeing. The Nile is approximately a three-minute walk away, putting you near the ferry area without staying directly on the waterfront.

The accommodation is particularly interesting for families or friends. Alongside double rooms, the hotel offers two-bedroom apartments with two bathrooms accommodating up to four adults. That extra space could make a longer stay considerably more comfortable than sharing one standard room.

I’d consider this for its ferry access, room options, and garden-and-pool setting. Expect garden or pool surroundings rather than assume your room will have a Nile view.

Explore El Gezira Garden Hotel and check current rates →

Farther Inland: Boutique Retreats Near the Ancient Sites

Inland stays place you among farmland, desert scenery, and the archaeological landscape of ancient Thebes. I’d look here when atmosphere matters more than easy river crossings, planning transportation for sightseeing and evenings out rather than expecting everything within walking distance.

Al Moudira — Best for a Special Boutique Stay Among Gardens and Courtyards

Typical price: Around $375–$500 per night, with higher rates for some dates and accommodation categories

Al Moudira is the West Bank hotel that makes me want to build extra time into the itinerary. Domed ceilings, fountains, individually decorated suites, and leafy courtyards create a distinctive setting, with spacious accommodation and thoughtful design suited to a special stay.

The gardens and pool are equally appealing. I can imagine returning from the tombs and temples for lunch and a swim, then spending the afternoon enjoying the grounds. The stay itself would be part of the reason to choose Al Moudira, beyond its location near the archaeological sites.

You’ll need transportation to reach the river and central Luxor, a tradeoff I’d accept with time to enjoy the property. On a short visit filled with excursions, I’d find the splurge harder to justify.

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Marsam Hotel — Best for Archaeological History and a Traditional West Bank Stay

Typical price: Around €80 per night for a Traditional double room with a private bathroom, including breakfast and taxes; other categories vary

Marsam’s history connects it to the researchers who came to study ancient Thebes. Its adobe buildings, courtyards, and deliberately simple furnishings give it a character rooted in that setting, offering a different experience from larger resorts.

I’d consider it for a trip focused on the West Bank’s archaeological sites, especially if staying somewhere connected to that history appealed to me. Its atmosphere is the draw, with space to linger over a meal between outings rather than extensive resort facilities.

Room categories deserve a close look. Traditional rooms have private bathrooms and air conditioning, while the simpler Travellers rooms use shared bathrooms and fans. For my own stay, I’d prioritize a private bathroom and air conditioning after long mornings exploring in Luxor’s heat.

Explore Marsam Hotel and check current rates →

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Staying on Kings Island: A Resort Alternative

Kings Island offers a spacious resort setting away from central Luxor, with gardens, pools, and room to settle in between excursions. You can reach the island by car, so you won’t need to coordinate a boat whenever you arrive or leave.

For sightseeing, I’d arrange a driver or guided excursions, then use taxis or Jolie Ville’s complimentary downtown transportation for independent outings. The latter requires advance reservation, so check the schedule before planning your evenings around it. This setting appeals to me for a longer stay with quieter afternoons built in; if you expect to spend nearly every waking hour exploring, a central hotel may be more practical.

Jolie Ville Luxor Hotel & Spa Kings Island — Best for an Island Resort Stay and Poolside Downtime

Typical price: Around $65–$180 per night, depending on season, room type, and meal plan

Jolie Ville’s spacious grounds and Nile-side pools caught my attention. Rooms are spread among low-rise bungalow buildings, with garden and Nile-view options depending on the category booked. I like the idea of wandering through the property rather than spending all my hotel time between the bedroom and breakfast table.

The pools add to the appeal, with an infinity pool overlooking the Nile, an adults-only relaxation pool, and areas for children. Restaurants, bars, and a spa make it easy to enjoy a quieter day without heading into town for every meal or activity.

After our packed sightseeing days, an afternoon watching boats pass on the Nile sounds very appealing. At the lower end of its rates, Jolie Ville shows that a hotel worth spending time in doesn’t necessarily require a luxury budget. I’d compare meal plans and room locations before booking, particularly on such extensive grounds.

Explore Jolie Ville Luxor Hotel & Spa Kings Island and check current rates →

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Where I’d Stay on My Next Luxor Trip

Luxor was full of experiences I’d happily return for, and its hotels give me another reason to go back. Whether you’re looking for a smaller central stay, a boutique retreat on the West Bank, or a resort overlooking the Nile, there’s plenty of choice across different budgets.

The best advice I can give is to build downtime into the hottest part of the day. After a morning exploring temples and tombs, you’ll appreciate having a pool, a shaded rooftop, or somewhere comfortable with a view to return to. That time belongs in the itinerary just as much as the sightseeing.

I loved our stay at Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa and wouldn’t hesitate to return, though I’d also be tempted to try Steigenberger Nile Palace. Its riverfront setting and location closer to central Luxor appeal to me for a trip with more independent exploring and evenings in town.

Luxor has plenty to keep you busy, but after Cairo’s buzz, it also made me want to slow down. On my next visit I’d still be excited to head out each morning. I’d simply leave more of the afternoon free to enjoy wherever I chose to stay.